New Kilt Belt and Sporran Strap Combo From Centaur Design

**MacRobert's Reply** · 12th February 13, 06:00 AM

I also have a very high opinion of Centaur Design who are based in a wee workshop in the grounds of Traquair House. Thy made me a very fine silver-plated kilt belt buckle about 18 years ago and, more recently, made my son a fine buckle in brass. Their prices are very reasonable.

**chewse** · 12th February 13, 07:44 AM

Wow...Beautiful!

**unixken** · 15th February 13, 04:35 PM

Unfortunately, the Centaur web page seems to have a programming bug, in the processing of a VISA card (it keeps insisting I need to fill out a couple fields required for a Maestro, that are not needed for VISA), but I sent an email to them to see what they'd suggest. I'll likely end up calling them. I have my eye on the standard width belt that the OP liked for it's pattern, along with one of their brass buckles. Would look outstanding, I think, paired with a pair of 8yd tanks that I just ordered.

**Grizzly** · 16th February 13, 01:26 AM

Good choice Ken . You won't be disappointed.

**unixken** · 16th February 13, 12:56 PM

After initially reaching out to the folks at Centaur via email, I just had a very nice conversation with Debby, via Skype, to complete my order. She said my belt will be ready in just a few days.

**Grizzly** · 3rd March 13, 02:51 PM

Ken did you get your belt? Pics?

**unixken** · 3rd March 13, 03:33 PM

Actually, I did. The belt arrived very quickly, and looks just as nice as yours does (though I ordered the standard width, not a 3" like yours.) I am delighted with it. That being said, I did have a follow-up dialog with Debby, to offer a constructive suggestion for the next iteration they develop. And I'm attaching a couple pics here to illustrate, in the event your 3" uses a different size-adjustment system.

The size is fitted by adjusting a small buckle, on the inner surface of the belt. As I told Debby, a problem became immediately apparent the very first time I tried the belt on, simply because I happened to be wearing a sweater at the time. The prong on the sizing buckle, given that it points inward toward the body, immediately snagged a stitch in my sweater. I can picture that prong doing some damage to a kilt, if the prong develops any kind of sharp spur, or if the belt shifts around at all, over the course of a long day afoot at a highland games, festival, or other full day of wear. I suggested she investigate the use of smooth button snaps for sizing the belt, rather than the prong-style buckle. As nice as the belt is otherwise, I'll be happy to wear it with my PV casuals, but won't be wearing it with any of my good wool tanks. I just don't want to take a chance.

DSCN0291.jpg

DSCN0292.jpg

DSCN0293.jpg

**Grizzly** · 3rd March 13, 04:07 PM

I can see exactly what you mean. I have a luxury 2.25 inch belt from Scotweb (shown in a size comparison pic earlier in this thread) which has the same inner buckle for adjustment that yours does. I too was concerned about this on a wool kit which was why I went for the big brass d ring buckle.

I do hope you enjoy your belt and perhaps masking the prong with a bit of duck tape may help. Good suggestion about the snap fastener adjusters.

**unixken** · 3rd March 13, 04:19 PM

Well, I'd be concerned about the glue from a bit of duct tape mucking up the kilt, too. At $500 to $900 a pop, I can afford to be a little anal like that, I think. On the other hand, if my weight didn't fluctuate so much, I'd just rivet the belt to the right size, and remove the adjustment buckle.

But I think the next time I put the belt on, I'll see if the position of the inner buckle would be an agreeable spot to mount my water bottle "holster", on the belt. That would provide a layer of leather to act as "chafing gear", to prevent any damage from the belt. (I just wish the water-bottle thing was available in brown.)